Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Needle, evergreen
Shape
Acicular, slender needles bundled in fascicles of three
Margin
Entire, minutely toothed under magnification
Arrangement
Spiral arrangement on twigs, grouped into fascicles
Venation
Parallel single vein per needle, inconspicuous
Key Features
Fascicles containing precisely three slender, stiff green needles measuring several inches in length
Description
Large evergreen conifer growing up to 30 meters tall with a straight trunk, scaly reddish-brown bark, and cylindrical cones
Habitat
Lowland plains, swamps, and upland sites with acidic, poorly drained to well-drained soils in full sun
Native Range
Southeastern United States, widely planted in forestry plantations across the region
Identified on 10/14/2026